Beans Little Changed on Week

VANCOUVER - Jan 4/13 - SNS -- Dry edible bean markets are starting 2013 on a relatively quiet note, with little change reported in prices from most origins.

This was reflected in the spot price index for U.S. beans, which finished the week unchanged at 1322. Similarly, the grower bid index was unchanged at 1247.

North American markets remain worried about the impact a vastly improved Mexican harvest and a major increase in edible bean output in both Canada and the United States will have on season ended inventories. This is expected to drive a reduction in pinto bean seedings in both countries and is expected to contribute to delays in announcing prices for new crop production contracts.

Interestingly, Argentina's edible bean industry is also worried about a decline in white alubia and black bean plantings this year. Unexpected competition for land use from chia seed could pull 40,000 hectares out of edible beans into that crop.

Chia or Salvia hispanica is a member of the mint family. It is native to central and southern Mexico and Guatemala. It has become popular in health food circles in recent years, with retail prices ranging around U.S. $35 per kilogram.

Report From Canada's Western Standards Committee

The Canadian Grain Commission and the University of Manitoba collaborated to study how the moisture level in beans affects the quality of stored beans. The maximum straight moisture level is 18% for beans. The project stored beans at a variety of moisture levels following the 2011 harvest.

The study found the current maximum straight moisture level of 18% is the appropriate level for storing and handling beans. Therefore, the maximum straight moisture level will remain unchanged.